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Gates: Student outcomes at SSU equal to or better than AASU

Savannah Morning News

By Jane McBride Gates

On behalf of the students, faculty and staff of Savannah State University, I write to express profound dismay about the publication of the Oct. 25 column ("Savannah Atlantic University?") by Mr. Tom Barton that was prejudiced, illogical, and offensive. It was ill-informed and froth with journalistic and impressionistic opinions rather than based on facts.

Mr. Barton's assertion that Armstrong Atlantic State University (AASU) is "academically stronger" than Savannah State University is presented without a shred of evidence. Furthermore, it reflects absolutely no knowledge or examination of the facts that determine performance measures for higher education institutions. Please take note of the following facts, all of which may be reviewed on the University System of Georgia Web site: http://www/usg.edu/sra/students/grad_ret/:

Fact: Graduation rate data consistently show SSU student outcomes equal to or better than those of AASU. In 2004, SSU surpassed the graduation rates of AASU on both the institutional level and system level, respectively 30.5 (SSU) compared to 18.2 (AASU) and 33.6 (SSU) compared to 27.8 (AASU) on the system level.

Retention rates for SSU are consistently higher over a five-year period for first-time, full-time students both on the institutional level and within the system. These indicators provide evidentiary documentation of the quality of achievement specifically defined by student learning outcomes within the USG system.

Fact: While SSU is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, all undergraduate and graduate programs that have professional accrediting associations have gone through the rigorous validation process: Council on Social Work Education, National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International, American Chemical Society, Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, National Association of Radio and Telecommunications Engineers, Inc.

The mass communication department is in the final stages of candidacy for accreditation by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications.

These accreditations provide evidence beyond the borders of Chatham County of the quality education provided by Savannah State University.

Fact: Of the 35 institutions in the University System of Georgia, SSU ranked fifth in extramural funds received for research, instruction and public service for Fiscal Year 2005. In this category, SSU ($9,756,677) far outpaces AASU ($1,927,127). The funding is a testament to the quality of our faculty, staff and students. (www.usg.edu/sra/gen_info/resfund/)

Similarly lacking in evidence is Mr. Barton's assertion that Savannah or the state would be better off by providing fewer options for its citizens to gain a college degree. Given the small percentage of Georgians with a bachelor's degree or higher, it is absolutely inconceivable that any educated person would wish to limit, rather than expand, the options and opportunities for more of its citizens to earn the advanced education that has been directly linked to economic success.

Can anyone imagine someone in Atlanta asserting that because Georgia Tech and Georgia State are within a stone's throw of each other, Atlanta and Georgia would be better served by their merger?

Mr. Barton's thinly veiled disrespect for the history of Savannah State University is perhaps the saddest example of the kind of thinking and adverse actions that have faced this institution since its inception. We can only hope that his intellectual curiosity and human decency would lead him to learn more about the institution and the accomplishments and contributions of its thousands of graduates to the state, nation, and the world.

Our record is strong and available for examination to anyone who wishes to be fair and informed.

Regrettably, Mr. Barton shows no inclination to base his observations on facts. And so, he has, again, espoused observations that are regrettably prejudiced, illogical, and offensive and that have no legitimate place on the newspaper's editorial pages .

Jane McBride Gates is interim vice president for academic affairs at Savannah State University.